House Iraq Withdrawal Plan Appears Likely To Pass

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/22/house-iraq-withdrawal-plan-may-have-votes/

House Iraq Withdrawal Plan Appears Likely To Pass

NBC’s Mike Viquiera: “Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her allies in the House now appear to have the Democratic votes necessary to pass the measure that requires American combat troops to be out of Iraq by Fall 2008 at the latest.”

UPDATE: Watch video of today’s House debate HERE. MissLaura and Kagro X are following the debate online.

UPDATE II: Atrios writes:

It isn’t perfect, but the choice isn’t between nothing and a pony, it’s been nothing and this. From what I understand Pelosi has called in every chip she has (and thrown some elbows) for the Bill. Whatever its imperfections, it’s better than the realistic alternative. Let’s hope it passes.

UPDATE III: Greg Sargent reports, “Less than 24 hours before the House Dem Iraq supplemental spending bill is set to go to a vote, the key liberal House Dems holding out against the bill have decided to back it, making its passage far more likely.” From the progressives’ statement:

After two grueling weeks of meetings, Progressive members of Congress brought forth an agreement that provided the momentum to pass a supplemental spending bill that, for the first time, establishes a timeline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

Congresswomen Barbara Lee (D-CA), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Diane Watson (D-CA) have led Congressional opposition to the war in Iraq since before it started and have consistently voted against funding for the war as a matter of conscience. Still, they decided that they could not stand in the way of the passage of a bill that would establish a clear timeline for ending the war, especially if the failure of that bill would mean the passage of a supplemental without any restrictions.

[ixion]

1. at the (non-binding) latest

which means it won't happen.

[Hepburn]

2. I have been watching on CSpan ~~

and it has been very interesting. The Pubbies seem to say that the Dems are interfering with Bush's right to be C -in- C. Like??? He's done such a wonderful job the last four years, he needs no direction???

Whadda lame argument!

Oh, yeah....

The other arguments are: Not supporting the troops and leaving the Iraqis in the lurch, democracy, yada, yada...

[babylonsister]

3. Same ole, same ole. So they want continuous war, dead soldiers and

Iraqis, with no finite plan for the mess the blivet got us into? This has gone on for far too long imo.
Out now!

[ixion]

7. you said it, sister

:applause:

[Rydz777]

8. Yes, out NOW

I believe Dennis Kucinish is voting against this bill because he wants us out NOW. So do I.

[goodhue]

4. read closely--Lee, Woolsey, Waters are not voting for the bill

http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2007/mar/22/liberal_house_dems_to_back_leaderships_iraq_bill

After a painstaking series of meetings with members of the Progressive Caucus and Out of Iraq Caucus and other members of Congress, the group agreed that, while they could not vote for the bill themselves, they would not block its passage.

"As someone who opposed this war from the beginning, I have voted against every single penny for this war as a matter of conscience, but now I find myself in the excruciating position of being asked to choose between voting for funding for the war or establishing timelines to end it," said Lee. "I have struggled with this decision, but I finally decided that, while I cannot betray my conscience, I cannot stand in the way of passing a measure that puts a concrete end date on this unnecessary war."

"Speaker Pelosi has approached me and other members of the Progressive Caucus on the upcoming Iraq supplemental vote. I am opposed to spending any more money in Iraq. Despite my steadfast opposition, I have told the Speaker that I will work with her to obtain the needed votes to pass the supplemental, but that in the end I must vote my conscience," said Watson.

"Although the debate on this supplemental appropriation has been heart wrenching, I have always been clear on my position. While we respect the decision of our colleagues who will support this legislation, those of us who believe that this is a vote of conscience will remain steadfast in our opposition," said Waters.

"The American public knows a simple truth: you can't be against this war, and vote for $100 billion dollars to continue it. Let me make myself very clear - I will not stop, I will not rest, and I will not back down in my fight until every last American soldier is home safely to their families," said Woolsey.

[babylonsister]

5. You're right; looks like Lee won't vote for it, but I don't know about the

other reps.

Edited because I screwed up...

[goodhue]

6. Well perhaps they have agreed to vote present, or not vote at all

But they certainly won't vote yes. I heard Woolsey on Democracy Now today, and I'm certain she will not for the supplemental.

[Frances]

9. I like Kos's take--this is from a later DU thread

I just thought this was kinda good:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/3/22/204516/706

"How It Looks from the Outside"

I'm actually quite proud of the progressive caucus -- it's time House progressives start flexing their muscles a little. And the concessions they've won are important ones. Is the supplemental perfect? Nope. But ultimately, it matters little. Bush will veto it, just like he'd veto a "tougher" bill. The would-be-emperor from the unaccountable administration has no interest in agreeing to even the most mildest of oversight requests.
from Kos:
Kos explains why the reps SHOULD vote for the bill:
"At the end of the day, this is a message battle. It's a chance for Democrats to show that they are interested in ending the war and getting our troops safely home, while the other side wants to escalate the war and get our troops killed.

"To that end, look at the headlines the Supplemental is generating:

US Democrats press deadline for Iraq pullout
Iraq pullout measures moves with war bill
US House opens debate on US withdrawal from Iraq
House Democrats seek votes for Iraq exit timetable
Dems labor for sure majority on pullout
Iraq pullout measure moves ahead
After 3 decades, Congress again tries to end a war
Dems seek votes to order pullout from Iraq

"You get the point. Few care about the details. The message being sent is that Democrats want out, Republicans want more Americans to die in Iraq."

That is the clear distinction we need heading into 2008.

[Rusty MacHenry]

10. It is a good point

Cause yes the funding would continue into next year but if this bill goes into effect the troops will come home by next year, there is a withdrawal in this. I wish the date was sooner but atleast they'll get out, if the Repukes were still running the show when the president asked for more money for the war they'll give it to him squeaky clean without no stipulation for a timetable for withdrawal.

This is a start.